Current Affairs search results for tag: national

1. India's First Exploration Licence Auction and AI-Driven Mineral Targeting Hackathon

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• Ministry of Mines, in collaboration with the Government of Goa, organized a landmark event graced by Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, and Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant. 

Important points:

• This event marked the launch of India's first-ever auction of Exploration Licences (ELs), a significant reform aimed at unlocking the nation's untapped critical and deep-seated mineral resources.
• The program also featured a Roadshow on the 5th Tranche of Auction of Critical Mineral Blocks and the inauguration of AI Hackathon 2025, focusing on 'Mineral Targeting using AI'.
• Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy and Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant jointly launched the auction of 13 Exploration Licence blocks, covering critical minerals such as Rare Earth Elements (REE), Zinc, Diamond, Copper, and Platinum Group Elements (PGE).
• This initiative, facilitated through a transparent online bidding process, is set to accelerate systematic mineral exploration, enhance private sector participation, and reduce import dependency.
• This reform will accelerate the discovery of critical and deep-seated minerals, boost investor confidence, and pave the way for a self-reliant, future-ready mineral ecosystem aligned with India’s clean energy and industrial ambitions."
• As part of the event, the Hackathon on "Mineral Targeting using Artificial Intelligence" was inaugurated by Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy and Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. 
• The initiative aims to leverage AI-driven techniques and geoscience data to identify new mineral-rich zones, particularly concealed and deep-seated deposits.
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2. India-Chile 1st JWG meeting on Agriculture held.

Tags: International Relations

Why in the news?

• The 1st Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Agriculture was held between India and Chile on 12th March 2025 in virtualmode.

Important points:

• The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (IC), Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfares and Mr. Gabriel Layseca, Director of the Department of International Affairs, Bureau of Agricultural Studies and Policies (ODEPA). 
• These include the Digital Agriculture Mission, the Women-led Development initiatives such as the Lakhpati Didi Program and Krishi Sakhi, as well as efforts to empower farmers through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• Both countries, with their rich experience in agriculture, have the potential to complement each other in boosting agricultural productivity, promoting rural development, and improving farmers' welfare. 
• He further noted that this meeting marks a significant step toward deepening and strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Chile, setting the stage for even greater collaboration in the future.
• Both sides discussed key issues related to market access, cooperation in horticulture, capacity building in the areas of extension, and research collaboration among other issues.
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3. Commonwealth Games Federation Renamed As Commonwealth Sport.

Tags: International News

Why in the news?

• The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)  changed its name to Commonwealth Sport.

Important points:

• The decision to change its name was announced on the occasion of Commonwealth Day March 10.
• “From Commonwealth Day 2025 onwards, the Commonwealth Games Federation will be known as Commonwealth Sport," the governing body of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games said in a media release.
• “The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is changing its public brand name to Commonwealth Sport. 
• This brand development signifies the organisation’s transition from a ‘Sports Federation’ to a ‘Sports Movement’.
• Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir said, “The brand name Commonwealth Sport demonstrates a stronger, more unified purpose that resonates with our audience on a deeper level."
• The ‘Commonwealth Games Federation’ will be retained as the name of the legal entity only.
• Meanwhile, King Charles, the Patron of Commonwealth Sport, will officially launch the inaugural Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton Relay for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day .

4. Cyclone Alfred hits eastern Australia.

Tags: International News

Why in the news?

• Torrential rain from the remnants of Cyclone Alfred flooded swathes of Australia's east coast on March 10, 2025 as workers battled to restore power to more than 200,000 homes and businesses.

Important points:

• Authorities issued a string of flood and severe weather warnings across a 400-kilometre (250-mile) stretch of coast straddling Queensland and New South Wales.
• Utility companies said more than210,000 homes and businesses were still blacked out in Queensland, and another 10,000 in New South Wales.
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5. 'Shashwat Mithila Mahotsav-2025'

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, addressed the 'Shashwat Mithila Mahotsav-2025' in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. 

Important points:

• In his address, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah highlighted Gujarat's long-standing tradition of welcoming people from across the country and the world. He emphasized that Gujarat has always embraced diverse ideologies and lifestyles. 
• Acknowledging the contributions of people from Bihar, particularly those from Mithilanchal, he said that they have played a significant role in the development of the state. He assured them that they are safe, respected, and always welcome in Gujarat.
• He emphasized that from the Ramayana and Mahabharata to the Puranas, Vedas-Vedanta, Mimansa, and rich literary traditions, the roots of their creation can be traced back to Mithila. 
• He highlighted that Mithila is the birthplace of Mother Sita and the land of enlightened Rajarshi Janak, where Ashtavakra Muni composed the Ashtavakra Geeta. 
• He further noted that this sacred land has produced great scholars like Yagyavalkya, philosophers like Rishi Gautam and Mandan Mishra, as well as renowned poets such as Jyotireshwar Thakur and Mahakavi Vidyapati.
• Shri Amit Shah highlighted the significant contributions of Mithila and its residents, which are extensively mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Shatpath Brahman, Valmiki Ramayana, Mahabharata, Buddhist literature, and Jain literature. 
• Shri Amit Shah emphasized that Mithila has been a land of intellectual discourse and philosophical debates (Shastrartha). 
• Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah highlighted the immense contributions of the women of Mithila to the country since ancient times. 
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6. Sahitya Akademi will be organising “Festival of Letters 2025”.

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary institution working under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, will be organizing its annual Festival of Letters at Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi from 7th March 2025 to 12th March 2025. 

Important points:

• Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Government of India, will inaugurate the festival.
• Sri Mahesh Dattani, eminent English Playwright will be the chief guest of the award ceremony in which the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages will be presented and Sri Upamanyu Chatterjee, eminent Writer and Scholar will deliver this year’s Samvatsar Lecture.
• This is Asia’s Largest Literature Festivalwith about 700 writers from different parts of the country representing more than 50 languages participating in the festival that spans over 100 sessions. 
• The theme of the festival will be Indian Literary Traditions and a National Seminar on the topic featuring eminent thinkers and writers will be organized during the last three days of the festival.
• The festival will feature Young Writers, Women Writers, Dalit Writers, Writers from North East, Tribal writers and poets, LGBTQ writers and poets along with many eminent writers, translators, publishers, poets and distinguished personalities from different walks of life and Festival of Letters continue its status as India’s Most Inclusive Literature Festival since 1985.

7. India to host second Asian Yogasana Championship

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• The second Asian Yogasana Championship, scheduled to be heldat the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi.

Important points:

• A total of 16 countries will participatein the second Asian Yogasana Championship, scheduled to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi from March 29 to 31.
• The championship, being organised in collaboration with the Sports Ministry and Yogasana Bharat, aims to showcase Yogasana at the international level while embracing its rich heritage and deep-rooted cultural significance.
• The event, being supported by the Olympic Council of Asia, World Yogasana, Asian Yogasana and Yogasana Indraprastha, will also help create a roadmap towards inclusion of the discipline in the Olympic curriculum.
• India, the birthplace of yoga, is honoured to host the 2nd Asian Yogasana Championship.
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8. Cabinet approves Revision of Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the  Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has today approved the Revision of Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). 

Important points:

• The scheme hasthree components namely National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), LH&DC and Pashu Aushadhi.  
• LH&DC has three sub-components i.e. Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP), Establishment and Strengthening of existing Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries - Mobile Veterinary Unit (ESVHD-MVU) and Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD). 
• The Pashu Aushadhi is new component added to the LHDCP scheme.
• The total outlay of  the scheme is Rs.3,880 crore for two years i.e. 2024-25 and 2025-26, which includes provision of Rs. 75 crore to provide good quality and affordable generic veterinary medicine and incentive for sale of medicines under Pashu Aushadhi component.
• The scheme will help in prevention and control of livestock diseases through vaccination, surveillance and upgradation of healthcare facilities.
• The scheme will improve productivity, generate employment, encourage entrepreneurship in the rural area and prevent economic losses of farmers due to disease burden.
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9. PM Modi inaugurates Vantara

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated and visited Vantara, an animal rescue, conservation and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar district.

Important points:

• During his visit, Mr. Modi explored various facilities at the centre and closely interacted with various animals that have been rehabilitated there. 
• He also checked the wildlife hospital at Vantara and saw the veterinary facilities, which are equipped with MRI, CT scans, and ICUs among others. 

About Vantara:

• Vantara is a large-scale animal rescue centre, cave, conservation and rehabilitation centre established by Reliance Industries with Reliance Foundation. 
• It is located within the Reliance Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. 
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10. India records 1,036 species for backyard bird count third highest globally.

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• Birding enthusiasts from allover the country documented 1,036 species for the Global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2024.

Important points:

• The backyard bird count happens every year, usually over a four-day period in February.
•  It allows participants to tally birds in diverse locations, ranging from their own backyards to local parks and nature reserves. 
• This year, it took place from February 16-19, 2024, according to a press release from Bird Count India, a coalition of birding organisations and groups. 
• Indian bird enthusiasts celebrated their 12th consecutive year of participation in the GBBC this time.
• India submitted the second-highest number of checklists and the third-highest species among all participating countries. 
• Over the four days, Indian birdwatchers contributed over 61,000 checklists and documented 1,036 bird species on an online platform eBird. 
• The United States submitted themost number of checklists — 172,025 — showed preliminary results from the count.
• Following India, Canada had the third highest number of checklists at 25,420. Colombia (1,363) and Equador (1,130) submitted the most species. 
• This is the first GBBC where birders from all states and Union territories participated.
• Kerala recorded the highest number of checklists (14,023), followed by Tamil Nadu (13,661) and Maharashtra (5,725). 
• West Bengal reported the highest number of species (538), followed by Uttarakhand (426) and Assam (420). 

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